Dirigible lamp and direction-indicator.



F. M. RQSS & H. L. COOK. DlRIGlBLE LAMP AND DIRECTION INDICATOR. v APPLlCATlON-HLEDAPR-S.i916

Patefited Apr. 24,1917.

' znzus-snur 1,

F. M. ROSS & H. L. COOK. DlRlGlBLE LAMP ANgD DIRECTI ON INDICATOR.

APPLICATION F lL ED'AP R.'5.J9 16- v PatentedApr. 24,1917.

- night direction WW1 snares FREDERICK M. ROSS A ND HARRY L. 000K, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

DIRIGIBLE LAMP AND DIRECTION -Il\l' DICATOR.

ieaarsr.

Mm... Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 24, tea a.

Application filed April 5, 1916. Serial No. 89,188.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, FREDERICK Ross and Hainzr L. Coon, citizens of theUnited States of America, and residents of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dirigible Lamps and Direction-Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dirigible lamp attachments and direction indicators for automobiles and particularly to a combined dirigible lamp attachment and direction indicator having for an object the construction of a combined day and signaling simultaneous movement of the indicator and lamps, and in which one of the lamps moves with the direction indicator to indicate one direction of travel, the other lamp, and the indicator being movable in the opposite direction to indicate the opposite direction of travel.

A further object is to produce a combined direction indicator and lamp directing apparatus in which operation of the lamps and indicator may be secured either when the steering the operation of the steering gear. These and other objects are attained in the apparatus described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a fragmental plan view of the vehicle chassis, the front axle, front-wheels, and steering gear, with a combined direction indicator and lamp directing device embodying our invention attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3+3 of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a sectional .line l-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a detailof our invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view takenon the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section or support embodying view taken on the of a i lamp our'invention.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a rear view of tion indicator located at hicle chassis.

an auxiliary directhe rear of the vegear is operated or independent 21. detail of apparatus having 42, which is clamps l2 and 18 are The combined direction indicator and clirigible lamp construction embodying our in forwardly hicle which would interfere with their movement. Extending from each of the brackets 10 and 11 are arms 16 and 17 attached respectively thereto, and connecting these ment of the lamps, and of returning and retaining the lamps in their normal straight ahead positions when the operating mechanism therefor is inoperative. Operation of the'lamps is controlled by an arm 19 extending toward the rear of the vehicle and operat-ively connected with the reach rod 20 extending between the crank arms 21 and 22 of the steering knuckles 23 and 24. The arm at its forward end is secured to a pivot post 25 operatively mounted in-a bracket 26 secured in a side extension 27 of the clamp 12. At the upper endofthe shaft 25 a forwardly extending arm 28 is provided, the arm being connecte with a reciprocating g 31 to the steering wheel 37,by means of cables 38 and 39. At its upper end the shaft 34 is provided with a forwardly extending arm 40, which is connected by a link 41, withthe under side of the tube or casing 31. Within the casing 31 is reciprocally mounted a tube provided with a rod 43, extendmg to a point adjacent to the forwardly exment of the tube 42 and block 30 isrethe lamps, beyond any portion of the veding arm 16 of the lamp bracket'lO, and i direction,

of the casing 31,

strained by the spring 44, located within the tube, and having its end in abutment with a screw threaded collar 45, located in the end of the tube 42. The opposite end of the spring abuts the headed end 46 of a rod 47, extending into the casing 31, and through the block 30, the block being reciprocally mounted thereon; Movement of the rod 47 toward the lamp bracket 10 is effected when the block 30 is moved toward the bracket to compress the spring 44, by means of a collar 48, secured to the rod 47 by means of a set screw 49, the collar engaging the closed end of the casing 31, to prevent such movement. lt'will thus be seen tl movement of the block 30 and tube 42 to rotate the lamp bracket 10 and thus cause the lamp to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, will cause the spring 44 to become compressed, and to tend to return the tube 42 and the abutting block 30, as well as its connected mechanism, to their normal positions as, shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2. Located within the casing 31 and in engagement with the OPPOSltG' face of the block 30, is a collar 51, secured to the rod 47 by means of a set screw 52, and secured to the tube 42, in engagement with the opposite end of thecasing 31 is a collar 53, the collar-being secured to the tube by means of a set screw 54. These collars will permit movement of the block and tube in the direction of the bracket 10, without icausing-operation of the rod However when the block 30 is moved in the opposite to abut the collar 51,.the rod 47 connected therewith is also moved, the collar 48 moving away rom the closed end and the collar 53 being brought into engagement with the open in engagement with the screw threadedcollar 45, located within the tube 42. It will be seen that when the block 30 is movedjtoward the lamp bracket 11, as

just described, the rod 47 will-be operated, the tube 42 will be prevented from being I operated and that consequently the headed side of the opposite end '46 of the rod 47 will cause compression of the spring 44, which will'tend" to return the lamp and parts affected thereby to their normal positions. In the above description it will be 'seen that only one lamp is operated at a time, and that the movement of the lamp is from its normal position toward the the vehicle on which it is located as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the return motion bringing the lamp back to its normal position. In order to prevent the lamp moving beyond its normal pos'tion and in direction, the bracket 10 is provided with a pin 55, see Figs. 7 and 8, and the sleeve 56 to which the arms 57 and 58 for supporting provided with a notch 59, see

the lamp, are connected, is Figs. 2 and 7,

'or to the right, the

so as to provide shoulders 60 and 61, against which the pin may abut when the sleeve 56 is rotated. Thus when the sleeve 56 is rotated in the direction indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, the shoulder (30 moves away from the pin 55, but upon return of the sleeve to its normal position, the shoulder 50 abuts the pin- 55, thus preventing movement of the lamp beyo'id its normal position. The construction of the bracket 11 is similar in all respects to that of the bracket 10, and this reason the same reference numeralshave been applied thereto. Extending from one side to the other of the vehicle. and mounted in lugs (i2 and 63, extending therefrom, is a transversely extending bar (34, see Fig. 2. Extending upwardly from (35, having a pin adapted to engage a slot 67 of a direction indicating arrow 68, pivotally mounted at 68 on a plate 69, see Fig. 1, located at the rear, and secured to the casing (56, secured thereto, an

ing 31 is reciprocated by means 0 the handles 36, located the link 41 connected with the casing, being operated by means of its. connected elements 40, '34, 35, 38 and 39. Movement of the arrow is thus secured, in addition to movement of. the lamp toward which the arrow is caused to point. \Vhen the arrow is moved to the left, the casing being in en-:

gagement with the collar 53 causes the tube 42, and connected rod 43, to move the lamp bracket 10, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. levers on the steering column are'moved 1n the opposite direction, the link 41 moves the casing 31 toward the lamp, located on the right hand side'of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 2, and the arrow is caused to point in that direction. \Vhether moving to the left arrow slot 67 slides with 66, engaging the slot and tilt in the desire relation to the pin thus causes the arrow to direction.

In order that the driver of a vehicle approaching the rear of the vehicle equippe with our improved direction-indicator, may be acquainted with the intended direction of travel thereof, \vehave located at the rear an arrow. or suitable auxiliary indicator '70 pivotally mounted on the pin 71 and having an arm 72 extending therefrom, the arm in turn being connected with a three arme lever 73 by means of a link 74. Connected with the vertical arms of thelever 73 are the ends :of .two cables 75 and 76 extending from the front to the' rear of the vehicle chassis, the cables being connected directly for i this bar is a lug 31. Move-' 'ment of the arrow is secured when the cas- 4 on the steering column,

with the operat- \Vhen the w u wheel of the vehicle and connected in the manner above described, movement thereof Wlll be in the same direction aS tha at the front of the vehicle hicles approaching from duly Warned of th the vehicle in front .the pivots for the brackets 26 and 33,

n g devices such located between the therein, lost motion,

construction.

t of the arrow 68 and therefore vethe rear will be e intended direction which is to take. -At each of brackets 10 and 11 and the we have provided yieldsprings 77, see Fig. 2, brackets, and suitable" its purpose of taking up any and for thus preventing rattling ons of our improved eliminates the noise which would be occasioned upon Wearing of e parts.

In addition to this feature of construction we preferably locate ball bearings 7 8 at both ower ends .of each of the forthe purpose of permitting-ease of movement of the parts as the .upper and l brackets. This is we as permittin thereof.

g ease of adjustment In order thatthe amount of movement of the lamps to one consists in reciprocal In operation or the other side, may be ly mounting the arms 11 their respective brackets set screws 10, 11",28 and 3 and 4, being provided e arms in their adjusted With the vehicle equipped with an improved construction such and disclosed in t as above described he drawmgs, operation of the mechanism embodying our invention consists in two 1 first method of larly at night,

the motion of th Movin Wlll ca is moved. bracket 11 link 29 and consequently the block us cause. the tube move the lamp, 1

through the agency of the arm 16.

1n rounding nethods of control.

control is employed particuthe motion of the steerin I curves, controlling only This operation to rock from reach rod 20 g the arm 19 toward the pull the 30 and 42 and the rod 43, to coated on the bracket 10, w

This

e lamps.

usethe arm 28 to movement 1s against the tension of the spring 44, which is held by the headed end 46 of therod 47,

4-7 being prevente the bracket 10 by of one of the shou 59, ofthe bracket ment of the lamp against movement the rod d from movement toward reason of the engagement lders 60 or 61 of the notch' 11, which prevents movemounted on this bracket,

' casing 31 is held to a position other than its straight ahead position. This causes the spring 44' to be compressed and s tend to return the block 30, the tube 42 and the bracket 10, to their original positions. During this operation the arrow 68 has not been moved from its normal position as shown in Fig. 2, the lamp only having been moved. Upon moving the steering gear in the opposite direction the block 30 is brought against the collar 51. This forces the rod 47 toward the bracket 11, and consequently causes the head 46 to compress the spring 44, the tube 42 and portion the parts that the spring is provided with sufiicient power .to return the front -wheels to their normal straight ahead positions, thus producing a safety feature in the construction embodying .our lnvention, the

strength of the spring being sufficient to In both of these operations the against movement by reason of its connection with the link 41 and its connected mechanism. Thus thearrows- 68 and 70 are. maintained in their straight ahead positions.

toward the bracket 10 the arrow 53 attached thereto, andthus causes the lamp mounted on the bracket 10 to be moved in that direction. This movement of the lamp, in addition to that of the arrow, is additionally valuable, since it also indicates the intended d the vehicle.

compression of the spring 44, because of the abutment afforded by the head 46, during arm 35 by means 0 the first the tube 42 is movement, when I moved toward the left, and by the abutment conflict with other portions of the car. This may ,be' objectionable and 1n order to prevent the bracket, said yielding device adapted Icator .to

' tions ,w

ets,

the engagement of the lamps or their brack- 'ets, with suchportions, such as mud guards, the set screws 10, 11*, 28 and .34 are loosjusted toflmake them of the proper length able. After the arms are adjusted foundjto be correct without interference o the lamps withfanyportion of the vehicle. Having thus described our invention, wha we claim-gist;

1. A combined dirigible lamp and direcautomobiles, comprising a-lampbrac ket rotatively mounte onthe vehicle chassis, means for rotating the bracket, a yielding device and a tion indicator operatively connected with the yielding'device an adapted to be move from its normal position to a position corresponding with; that of the movement 0 to return the bracket and'the inditheir normal straight ahead posihen the bracket rotating means is released. v

2. In a combined dirigible lamp and 'direction indicating device for combination of two lamp brackets'adapted to move from their normal straight ahead positions to positions 'n which the lamp rays are projected to one side or the-other side 0 the vehicle, each bracket having stops for limiting its inward movement, a yielding device operatively connected with thebrackadapted to return both brackets to their normal straight ahead positions and to permit outward movement of one bracket independentlyof the other bracket, a direction indicator operatively connected with the yielding device and adapted to operate in one direction whenione of the brackets is operated and intheopposite direction when r the opp I for simultaneously operating 'the direction osite bracket is operated, and means indicator and either one of the brackets to when the V 17, 28 and 40 are adhin the limits availr and the "set screws; tightened-the movement will be opposite connected direcbe ng vehicles, the of the vehicle,

' hicle.

3. In combination in a combined dirigible lamp and direction indicating tomobiles, a-lamp bracket rotativelymount-- ed on the vehicle chassis,

trolled means for rotating the bracket and adapted to be-operated either from the steerdependentlying gear or the automobileor in thereof to rotate the bracketin one direction, o

the means a yielding device located between and the bracket, adapted to rotate the bracket in the opposite direction when the means is released, a direction indicator operatively connected and stops for'limiting the bracket from its normal traight ahead position to its abnormal side direction indicating position. a

4. A combined dirigible lamp and direction indicating device for automobiles, comprisinga lamp bracket rotatively mounted on the vehicle chassis, a manually controlled meansfor rotating the bracket, a yielding device located between the means and the bracket, adapted to rotate the bracket in the direction when the means is released, and a direction indicator operatively with the yielding device, said yielding device consisting of a spring, a ro operatively connected with one en spring and withthe bracket, an abutment for the opposite endgof the spring, and alink operatively connecting the means and the compressed upon movement of the bracketv to its abnormal position.

- 5. In a combined dirigible lamp tion indicating device for vehicles, bination of two lamp brackets adapted to be moved'from their normal straight ahead positions to positions in which the lamp rays are projected to one side or .the other si e limiting its movement in but one direction, a yielding device operatively connected with the bracket and adapted to return b h brackets to sitions and to permit movement of bracket independently of the other bracket, and manually controlled means for operating either of the brackets against the tension manually conwith the yielding device, movement of the.

their normal straight ahead poone device for aud of the I and direcw the comeach bracket having stops-for exerted bythe yielding device, said yielding device cons sting o a spring, a rod operatively connected with one end of the spring and with one of the brackets, a rod operatively connected with the other end of 'the block loca adapted to be operatively connected with one rod when'moved in the other rod when movedfin the opposite d1- spring and with the other bracket, and a rection, each rod when inoperative forming an abutment for its end of the spring, whereby the spring will be compressed upon movement of the bracket from its normal to its abnormal position by said means.

6. In combination in a lamp and direction indicating device for automobiles, a lamp bracket rotatively mounted on the vehicle chassis,- manually controlled means for rotatingthe bracket and adapted to be operated either from the steering gear of the automobile or independently thereof, a yielding device located between the means and the bracket, adapted to rotate the bracket in the opposite direction when the means is released, and stops for limiting the movement of the bracket from its normalstraight ahead position to its abnormal side direction indicating position, said yielding device consisting ofa spring, a rod operatively connected with one end of the spring and with the bracket, an abutment for the opposite end of the spring, and a link operatively connecting the means and the spring engaging end of the rod, whereby the spring will be compressed upon movement of the bracket to its abnormal osition.

7. In a dirigible lampapparatus tor automobiles, the combination of two lamp brackets adapted to be moved from their normal straight ahead positions to positions in which the lamp rays are projected to one side or the other side of the automobile, each bracket having a stop for limiting its movement, a yielding device operatively connected with the brackets and adapted'to return both brackets to their normal straightahead positions and to permit movement of one bracket independently of the other bracket, Iand means for operating either one of the rac spring, a rod operatively connected with one end of the spring and with one of the brackets, a rod operatively connected with the other end of the spring and with the other bracket, and a block located adjacent to the spring and adapted to be operatively connected with one rod when moved in one direction and with the other rod when moved combined dirigible of the automobile ts, said yielding device consisting of a I subscribed our names this -30th day of in the opposite direction, each rod when inoperative forming an abutment for its end of the spring, whereby the spring will be compressed upon 'movement of either bracket from its normal to its abnormal position.

8. In combination in a dirigible lamp apparatus for automobiles, a lamp bracket operatively mounted on the vehicle chassis, means for rotating the bracket and adapted to be operated either from the steering gear or independently thereof, a yielding device located between the means and the bracket, and stops for limiting the movement of the bracket from its normal straight ahead position to its abnormal side position, said yielding device consistingof' a spring, a rod operatively connected with one end of the spring and with the bracket,- an abutment for the opposite end ofthe.

spring, and a link operatively connecting the means and thespring-engaging end ofthe rod, whereby'the spring will be compressed upon movement of the bracket to its normal position.

9. A combined dirigible lamp and direction indicating prising a lamp on the vehicle chassis, means for rotating the amount, a yielding device located between bracket rotatively mounted manually controlled the means and the bracket, and adirection" indicator operatively connected with the" yielding device and adapted to be moved from its normal position to a position correspondingwith that of the movement of the yielding device being adapted bracket, sai to returnthe bracket and the lndlcator to their normal straight ahead positions when 'thebracket rotating means is released.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto March, 1916,

FREDERICK M. ROSS. HARRY COOK.

bracket the desired 75 device for automobiles, com- 

